Process of curing tobacco



i No Drawing.

Patented Oct. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILKELM R. N AGEL ANDFRIEDRICH L. NAGEL, OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNORS T0 W. R. NAGEL &COMPANY, OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY, A PARTNERSHIP COM- EOSED OF XVILHELM R.NAG-EL AND FRIEDRICH L. NAGEL PROCESS OF CURING TOBACCO leaf tobacco todiminish its ill eiiects on the human system and improve its flavor anddesirability for human consumption.

An object of the present invention is to produce a superior grade oftobacco for use in smoking and which will have a delightfully cool,non-irritating and fragrant taste and smoke. This tobacco also possessesa healthful therapeutic value, as it contains Sassafras, which is arecognized medicament and which, when drawn into the throat and lungs,has the disinfecting and purifying effects of sassafras root.

In carrying out the invention, the follow ing process may be utilizedRaw leaf tobacco, after the customary vdrying, is subjected to livesteam to initially soften it, after which it is packed in layers intoits ultimate container. Upon each layer is smeared or otherwise applieda fairly thick coating of a mixture prepared in the followmg manner:

To 3 gallons of fullers earth filtered amber petroleum jelly is added 1pint of glycerine, the petroleum jelly being heated to a degree justbelow its melting point, after which the glycerine is added thereto withthorough stirring. After the stirring operation, 1 pint of oil ofsassafras is added to the mixture and the mass thoroughly agitated.

The mixture thus prepared is smeared on to the leaf tobacco as it is putin its ultimate container, layer by layer, in the proportion ofapproximately 1 part mixture to 4 parts leaf tobacco. After thecontainer has thus been filled with alternate layers of tobaccoapproximately 40% of its original volume.

Application filed October 16, 1930. Serial No. 489,227.

curing house, where it is allowed to cure un der a uniform heat ofapproximately 250 F. for a period of 10 days. At the expiration of thecuring, the tobacco is in a finished condition and is suitable for humanconsumption.

Tobacco thus prepared has a delectable flavor and aroma, and when smokedis mild and does not produce any ill effects on the stomach and heart,as does tobacco as commonly cured, and is healthful, as it contains thepurifying and therapeutic characteristic of sassafras root. The processalso imparts to the tobacco a velvety smoothness, and when burned givesoff a very cool smoke which does not bite the tongue. Thesecharacteristics make the invention of special value.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the process asvariations may be introduced without materially afi'ectmg the product.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. The process of flavoring tobacco which comprises impregnating saidtobacco with oil of Sassafras dissolved in petroleum jelly.

2. The process of treating leaf tobacco which comprises coating saidtobacco in the leaf with a mixture of oil of Sassafras dissolved inpetroleum jelly and glycerine in the ratio, by Weight, of 1 part oil ofsassafras mixture to 4 pants leaf tobacco.

3. The process of curing and flavoring leaf tobacco by subjecting it tolive steam to soften it, coating it with a mixture of petroleum jelly,glycerine, and oil of sassafras, packing the coated tobacco in layers ina container and subjecting it to pressure of the order of four thousandpounds per square inch to reduce it to about forty percent of itsoriginal volume, and subjecting the pressed tobacco in said container touniform heat of approximately 250 F. for a period of about ten days,substantially as described.

4. A new tobacco product comprising steamed leaf tobacco impregnatedwith a mixture of oil of sassafrasand petroleum jelly in proportions togive it pleasant and healthful characteristics.

In testimony whereof, We have signed our names to this specification.

WILHELM R. NAGEL. FRIEDRICH L. NAGEL.

